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August 9, 2014

India, US to Boost Ties

The top Indian and US defense acquisition officials will work together
to foster joint defense projects, the governments said Friday.

No
such project has been announced since the two governments created the
Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) in 2012, which aimed to
boost cooperation and reduce red tape.

The announcement came
after a meeting here between Indian Defense Minister Arun Jaitely and US
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, whose visit has also included meetings
with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma
Swaraj, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.In a press release, Defence Ministry officials said, “With
co-development and co-production of defense products in mind, India and
the United States today agreed to take the Defense Technology and Trade
Initiative (DTTI) forward. The contact person from the Indian side will
be the Secretary, Department of Defense Production and the United States
will be represented by, the Under Secretary for Acquisition, Technology
and Licensing at the Pentagon.”

Frank Kendall is the current US defense undersecretary for acquisition, technology and logistics.

A
defense analyst said India’s efforts to co-produce arms and defense
gear with the US have been notably slower than that with Israel and
Russia.

“The eagerness to transfer of technology by United States
to India has been the stumbling block in boosting these ties,” said
Nitin Mehta.